Corn-husking machine.



PTENTED MAY 29, 1906.

w. G. coNovfm.

com: Hummm MAGHINB.

APPLIGATION FILED AUG. 18, 1R05.

Gitouwsjo Suunto:

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 822,187. PATBNTBD MAY 29, 1906. W. G. GONOVBR. CSRN HUSKING MACHINE.

APPLIUATION FILED AUG. 16, i905.

3 SHEETS-SHBT 2.

Witnesses C//f @Mz PATBNTED MAY 29, 1906.

W. G. GONOVBR. ORN HUSKING MACHINE. AMWLJQMHJN FILED Mis. 1s. 1905.

i* SHEETSASHEB'IL 3.

f e www? wlw r UNITED STATES" LENT OFFICE.'

Specification of Letters\atent.

Patented May 29, 1906.

Application Bled August 16, 1905. Burial No. 274.373.

To all wher-rt t www; concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM G. CoNovEn,

ay citizen of the United Statesi residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Corn-Huskin` Machine, of which the following is a spec' cation.

My invention consists oi a new and useiul cornhusking machine which is adapted to automaticaily remove the end from the corn, after which the husk is removed and after that the silk is removed and the 'clean and husked corn directed to a suitahie point.

It further consists' in a new and useiui means ier properly locating the' corn in order to suitably direct the same through the ma: chine.

It further consists of novei means -ior ting toe ends of the corn. i

It further consists oi' novel means for removing the husks.

It further consists of novel means for removing the silk.

1t further consists of a novel feed for the corn.

It further consists in providing means whereby both ends of the corn may he removed when desired.

It further consists in novel Ieatur'es of construction, all as will be hereinafter fully set forth. i

Figure l represents a lan View of'a com husking machine embo ying my invention, showing the frame in dotted lines. Fig. 2 represents a side elevation thereof. Fig. 3 represents, on an enlarged scale, a portion of the machine, showing the cutter in .operation. Fig. 4 represents a sectional view on line m x, Fig. Fig. 5 represents, on an enlargedscaie, a portion of the device, showing the husks being removed. Fig. 6 represents a sectional view on line y y, Fig. 2. Fig 7 cutrepresents a pian view of a portion of the de-v vice, showing the siik-removing brushes and with a portion of the machine removed. S represents a diagrammatic plan view ofthe machine, showing a siightiy-diii'erentI cone'Y struction. Fig. 9 represents a. diagrammatic side elevation thereof. Fig. V1() represents s partial section and partial end sievetion of a portion oi' the device. Fig. 11 represents a side elevation of a conveyor provided with corn-retaining cips.

In order to have machines of this character operate successfuliy, it 1s necessary to lengths of the corn, as well as v g diameters thereof, and in my machine l have provided conveyors upon which the corn is fed which iviil accommodate corn o-any ien th. I have provided suitable means in order t at the corn wiil be roperly directed to the out ting means, so t at the corn will he properly resented to a cutter, should but one cutter Ye used or to a plurality of cutters ii' used on opposite sides of the machine.

have further arranged the husk-removing means in suon a. manner so that the husks of each ear will be positively removed, and I have provided a yielding device for both rototing and holding the corn in proper position with respect to thehnskin means and the siik-removing means, whic is adapted to accommodate corn of varying thickness or diameter.

Similar numerals of reference indicatec'or resonding parte in the gures,

eferring to the drawings, 1 designates the frame of the machine, (shown in dotted lines,}

upon which the various parts are supported. Suitahiymounted in hearings,` thereon are shafts 2 end S, the shaft 2 having mounted thereon the sprockets 4 and the shaft 3 havinlg mounted thereon the sprockets 5, around w ich assthe chains or conve ers 6, said chains having extending lugs 7 t ereon situ- Y ated at a suitable distance apart in order toengage theV corn as it is fed upon said conveyers. Y

8 designates a ide carried at one side of the machine, in W ich is a suitable opening 9, through which the end of the corn is adapted to project in order that the same will be in proper position on the conveyors. The guide 8 is' provided with an inclined face 10, which directs the corn into the proper position in order to have the end removed by means of the cutter 1l. rotary device having the kmfefedges 12 there on, said cutter being mounted on a 'shaft 13,4 Ywhich carries the sprocket 14. This sprocket is in engagement with the chain 15, which This in Fi 2 is shown as a loo passes around a suitable sprocket 16 in order to receive motion therefrom.

i7 designates aber which extends above' the conveyors, which is provided with a suitable somber of'springs 18, suitablysupported Vand with which the corn is adapted to con- 'tactn its passage, so that said springs hold the corn at the time one of the knives l2 cuts i the same in order that the same will not be rejprovide means for accommodating various a moved from its position on the conveyors.

After the end of the corn has been removed by the knives the conveyers carry the 'same in the direction indicated by the arrow a, Fig. 1, until `the corn comes in contact with the spring-guides 19, which properly locate the corn upon the conveyers until the same is received by the chains or conveyers 20, which pass around suitable sprockets on the shaft 3 and extend between the members of frame of the machine. They assaround thesprockets 21 adjacent the disc ar e end of the machine and 'are carried by the s. aft 22, said shaft 22 receiving motion through a suitable chain 23. 'Ihis asses around a sprocket -24 and theI sproc et 24, carriedon the shaft 25, which is t e main driving-shaft of the machine and .to which power 1s imparted through the pulleys 26 by means of a belt or .ther suitable device.

As the conveyers are operated they impart motion to the shaft 3, which in turn op;

crates the conveyers 6. The guide S is provided with a suitable openin 27, through which the cut end of the corn alls, bein received by the belt 2S, mounted on the pulleys 29. This actuates the belt in the direction indicated by the arrow, Fig. 2, motion being imparted to one of said pulleys 29 by the chain 30, which receives motion from a pulley 31, around which passes the belt 32, which also passes around the ulley 33, to which motion is imparted by t-Ihe chain 34 in suitable connection with the shaft 22. After the corn has been received upon the conveyei's 20 it is directed against a second set of guides,

`which are spring-arms 35, in order that the corn be located in proper position on the conveyers to have the husk,v removed therefrom. 36 designates a belt which passes around the pulleys 37 and 38, suitable motion being imparted to the ulley 37 by the chain 39 passing around t e sprocket 39X and also passing around a suitable sprocket 40, carried on the shaft 41. Said belt is situated above the conveyers 2l) and passes between the same and a plurality of idlers 42, which are suitably mounted in slots 43 in a frame 44, so that said idlers can have a slight lon itudinal movement, althou h they norma y bear upon said belt to hold t e same in proper relation with respect to said conveyers 20.

45 designates a belt upon the outer face of which is provided a luralitv of teeth, which asses around the pu leys 46:; suitable motion eing imparted thereto by means of sprockets 45X, suitably actuated by achain, which is in suitable relation to saidshaft 41, it being understood that the said belt 45 is situated be tween the convcyers 20 and-beneath the belt 36, so that as the corn is carried by said conveyers it is brought into contact with the teeth on the belt 45, it being understood that any suitable movable sup ort for the teeth may be employed. As t e belt 36 in its movements rotates the corn on the conveyers dinally of the machine and project the teeth of the belt 45 engagel with andremove the husks from the corn. In the drawings 1 have shown four sets of belts similar to 45, which I have indicated by said numeral, provided with teeth which are suitabl actuated by belts and s rockets 45 in or er that each ear of corn wi positively have the husk removed therefrom, since it might occur that as the ears are successively resented to the first belt 45 the teeth on sai belt mi ht still have some of the husk thereon from t epreceding ears, and hence would not remove the husk from the next ear or next but one. By having the four sets I rovide a means for positively removing the usk, although it may not be necessary to emplo four sets of belts, as I may find 1t practlca to employ a single belt with teeth thereon mounted in any suitable manner. Situated beneath the said belts 45 are wire brushes 48, which are suitably actuated by the chains 49, passing around the sprockets 49", which remove from the teeth the husks which may remain, 'the same falling therefrom and being directed upon the belt 32, which conveys same to a suitable point of discharge. It will of course be understood that the other belts 45 and brushes 48 are suitably actuated.

50 designates bristle-brushes which are situated adjacent the belt 45 and are actuated by belts assing around the sprockets 5()X and are ada ted to cleanse the teeth after the husks have )een removed by the brushes 48. It will be seen in this manner that the corn is carried by the conveyers 2O between the belt 36 and belt or belts 45, so that the husks are removed, and the idlers 42 being movable adapt the machine to accommodate ears of corn of varying thickness or diameter.

51 designates protectors (shown in Fig. 5 and omitted from Fig. 2 for clearness) for the brushes 50, which partly surround the same in. order to prevent the material from the brushes being thrown u on t'he machine.

52 designates a brus 1 situated adjacent the belt 36, which is adapted to bc actuated b the chain passing around sprockets 52X to clbean the same, a suitable protector 53 being provided for said brush. It will be linderstood that the various sprockets are suitably mounted in the frame of the machine and that the same all receive motion by a proper chain connection with the drive-sh aft 25, and I have not deemed it necessary to describe this in detail, as any suitable arrangement of chains and sprockets will answer. After the husks have been removed the corn is pre served to the silk-removin g means, which consists of the brushes 54, which extend longituupwardly between the conveyers 20 a suitable istance, said brushes being rotated toward each other by belts 55, assing around pulleys 56 on the shafts w lich. carry the brushes. Said belts also pass around the pulleys 57, mount- IOC:

, the same, this operation being best undered on the shaft 58, which receives motion from a chain passing around s rocket 59, it being understood t at the be t 36 extends over the brushes 54, and hence tends to rotate and press the corn against the said brushes, so that the silk is removed and the cleaned corn dischar ed at the end of the machine.

I preferaby have the conveyors 20 operating in suitable grooves in the portion of the frame of the machine; but on each side ofthe brushes 54 I have placed the belts 61, which pass around pulleys suitably actuated in order that should a short ear of corn be resented to the brushes .S4-that is, one Whic will not reach from one conveyer 20 to the otherthe said ear will be carried by the belts 61, it being necessar to stop the portion 60 of the frame at 62 (s own in Fig. 7) in order to ac commodete the brushes.

designates spring-cli s suitably secured to the lugs 7, which Wou d be employed in case I dispense with the guides 8. Y

The operation of the device will be readiy understood. Motion being im arted to the pulle s 26, the various parts o the machine are p aced in motion. The corn is fed upon conveyers' by hand, the operator placing the ear on the conveyors and a ainst the guide 8, and the ings 7 en age wit the corn to carry the same, the inc med face 1() 'of the guide 8 placing the corn in the proper position on the conveyors to enga e the cutters 12, which are rotated at a suita le s eed and so timed as to remove the end of eac ear, the springs 18 holding said ear as the cutting is accomplished. After' the end is cut the corn passes between the guides 19 in order that it may be properly laced upon the conveyers 20,. which carry t e corn between the uides 35 and then between the belt 36 and t ie various husking means 45, which are so` actuated that the teeth on the husking means or belts 45 engage with the husks and remove stood from Fig. 5. It will be seen in said figure that the movable idlers'42 are aised, if necessary, durin the passage of the corn between the belts, ut that they still hold the belt in proper relation to the corn in order to rotate the same. The husl-rs removed from the corn will fall upon the belt 32 and be conveyed to a suitable point. The corn after being hushed is carried along by conveyers 20 until it reaches the brushes 54, which are rotated toward each other and which engage with the silk and remove the same from the corn, any suitable means bein employed for removing' the silk from the irushes or cleanin the same.

It wil be understood from the above thatY my machine ris adapted to autoinaticaliy remove the end from the corn, remove the husks an the silk, and direct the cleaned corn tela sui/.table point, the machine being adapt# l ed to out and clean corn of any length and l varying thickness br diameter. In some in- `stances it may be necessary to remove bothI ends ol the corn, and it may be advantageous to feed the corn automaticall to the niachine, and in Figs. 8, 9, and 10% have shown a hopper which can be applied to the machine which is adapted to automatcially feed the corn, and I have shown a cutter on each side of the machine, it being understood that the cutters may be similar to the cutter 11 shown in other figures or the form of cutter Vmay be varied as desired and may be of that form shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In said iigures, I haveshown the conveyors 6, and adjacent the saine I have shown a hopper 63, which is formed of a plurality of trou hs, at the base of each of vvhic11 I provide a chain 64, passing around suitable sprockets 65, carried on the shaft 66, to which motion is imparted by chains 67 and 68, which receive motion from the sprockets mounted on v,thesdiait 69 suitably actuated. Also mounted on the shaft 66 ar.L cams 70, which are adapted to contact atthe proper time with the hopper in order to rock the same, thus preventing the corn Ytrein animing or remaining in said hopper.

The corn being received on the conveyor 6 is passed between the guides 19 and passed beneath the gate 71 ,which is movabl inount ed in the housing 72 and which is a apted to be secured in any adjusted position. The corn is carried by the conveyors and contacts with the guide 73, which may be of the form of a spring-arm and which directs the corn to one side of the machine and to the conveyors 74. These are adapted to carr the corn to a oint beneath the knife, VWhic 1 reciprocates 1n a suitable frame 76, carried by the frame 1 of the machine, said knife being actuated in any suitable manner?, as by the bar 77, oonnected with the pulley 78, which receives suitable motion by means of belts or other means insuitabie connection with the main shaft of the machine, any suitable means bein provided adjacent the chains 74 to proper y direct the corn beneath the cutter. Carried by the cutter is an arm 79, which carries the plate 80, the same reciprocating with the knife and being adapted to contact with the corn as the same is bein cut inorder to hold the corn and prevent isplacement thereof, the saine acting in a similar manner as the springs i8 previous]` described.

After one end of corn is cut the corn is carried on by the i nains or conveyers 74 and contacts with the spring-guides 81, which direct the corn to the other side of the mahine and upon the conve vers 82, the same Ydirecting the'opposite en of the corn to a Ysuitable point beneath the knife oi cutter 83 Yactuated in the same inanneras the cutter 75, whereby the other end of the corn will be out, the corn being then carried by the conveye s 82 between the guides 84, which properly locate the corn in order that the same may be delivered to conveyors similar to 20, after which the con passes through the husking and silk-removing mechanism, as before de scribed. A

It will be seen that the gate 71 is placed at the desired height in the housing 72, depending upon the average diameters of the corn to be hushed, soA that more than one ear at a time on the conveyers cannot pass there under, thus preventing an ear of corn resting above another.

In case I wish to dispense with the guides 8 clip-springs 85, as seen in Fig. l1, would be employed, said clips being suitably secured to the lug 7, and the ears of corn would force the Springs apart and said ears would be firmly held in place therebetween. The operator or feeder would soon become so expert that the corn would be placed on the chain and held by the springs, so that no uides would be rcuired and each butt wou d be placed on the c ain in the/proper position for the cutting operation.

From the above it will be understood that I do not desire to be limited in every instance to the construction herein shown and described, as various chan res may be made b f those skilled in the art w ich will accom lis the same purpose as my mechanism an yet come within the scope of my invention` Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the character described, a plurality of carriers adapted to receive and convey the corn, a guide adjacent said carriers against which the corn is ada ted to contact, cutting means adaptedto e actuated in order to remove the end of the corn, a spring adapted to engage with the ears for holding the same as the cuttin means strikes the ears, a belt having a plura ity of movable idlers engaging therewith, a belt having teeth thereon situated beneath saidfirst-mentioned belt and between which the corn is adapted to pass in order to remove the husks.

2. In a device ofthe character described, a plurality of carriers adapted to receive and convey the corn, a -uide adjacent said carriers against which t 1e corn is adapted to contact, a knife adapted to be actuated in order to remove the end of the corn as it is conveyed by the carriers, a spring adapted to engage with the ears for holding the same as the nife strikes the ears, a belt having a pluralof movable idlers engaging therewith, a

it plilrality of belts having teeth thereon situr ated beneath said inst-mentioned belt," and between which the corn is adapted to pass in order to remove the husks and means for removing the husks from the belts. f

3. In a device of the character described, a plurality of chains adapted to receive and convey the corn, a guide adjacent said chains against which the corn is adap ted to contact,

a knife adapted to be actuated in order to rebelt, and between which the corn is adapted i to pass in order to remove the husks, means for removing the husks from the belts, and means for removin the silk from the'corn..

4. In. a device o the character described, cutting means, means for properly directing the corn to said cutting means, a plurality of teeth adapted to be suitably actuated, means for directing the corn to said teeth which latter are adapted to engage with and remove the husks from said corn, and freely-movable means for rotating and properly holding the corn in suitable relation with respect to said teeth. 4

5. In a device of the character described, cutting means, means for conveying the corn to said cutting means, a plurality of belts ada ted to be suitably actuated, hooks on sai belts and a belt situated above said plurality of belts and between which and the plurality of belts the corn is adapted` to be conveyed, said belt movin@1r continuously and holding said corn in suitablie position with respect to said plurality of belts.

6. In a device of the character described, cutting means, means for conveyinv the corn thereto, a belt ada ted to be suitably actuated, teeth on said elt, a belt suitably actuated and situated above said toothed belt and a plnralit of freely-movable idlers in engagement with said last-mentioned belt.

7. In a device of the character described, cutting means, means for conve ring the corn thereto, a plurality of belts-a apted to be suitably actuated, teeth on said belts, a belt suitably `actuated and situated above said plurality of belts, movable idlers in engagement withV said last-mentioned belt, and means for cleaning said belts and teeth.

8. In a device of the character described, cutting means, means for conveying the corn thereto, means for i actuating said cuttin means, a plurality of belts, ooks on sai belts, a plurality of rotary brushes and e. belt adapted to be suitably actuated and extend ing 4over said plurality of belts and said brushes and between which the corn is adapted t0 ass.

9. n a device of the character described, a plurality of chains adapted to convey the corn, guides for properly locating the corn with respect to said chains, knives adapted to be suitabl f actuated in order to remove the ends of t e corn,` means adapted to engage the ears during the removal of the ends, another set ol' chains adapted to receive the corn after the cutting, guides for properly loeating the corn, a plurality of be is situated IOS between said last-mentioned chains, hooks on said belts, means for cleaning said belts, a plurality of brushes suitably rotated, a belt extending over. said hook, belts and said brushes, and movable idlers en aging with said belt, the corn being adapte to be carried b said second set of chains between said hookelts and the up er belt.

il). In a device of t e character described, a plurality of chains adapted to receive and convey the corn, a guide ad'acent said chains a ainst which the corn is'a apted to contact, a nife adapted to be actuated in order to remove the end of the corn as it is conveyed b the chains, a spring adapted to engage with the ear for holding the same as the knife strikes the ear, a belt having a lurality of movable idlers engaging therewith and a plurality of belts having teeth thereon, situated beneath said last-mentioned belt, and bel tween which the corn is adapted to pass in order to remove the husks.

11. In a device of the character described, cutting means, means for conveying the corn thereto, meansvfor removing the husks from the corn, means for conveying the corn over the huslnng means and freely-movable means adapted to rotate said corn and to hold the same in proper position with respect to said husk-removing means said means permitting the passage of corn of various diameters.

12. In a device of the character described, means for removing the end of the corn, a belt ada ted to be suitably actuated, a sec ond belt aving teeth thereon situated adjacent said first-mentioned belt, and between which belts the corn is adapted to ass in or der to remove the husks, and a p urality of movable idlers mounted in close proximity to each other and adapted to bear against the first-mentioned belt, in order to hold the same in proper relation to said second-mentioned belt, said idlers being so situated that Y the corn in its passage between the belts will always have one of said idlers resting thereupon, whereby the corn will be held in roper position With respect to the tooth-be t and the passage of corn of dilerent diameters is permitted.

13. In a device of the character described, cutting means for removing the ends ofthe corn, a belt adapted to be suitably actuated, a pluralit of freely-movable idlers in engagement Wit '1 said belt situated in close proximit to each other, a second belt situated beneat said first-mentioned belt and having a lurality of teeth thereon and between which belts the corn is adapted to pass one of said idlers being ada ted to always press the corn against the tooth-belt in order to remove the husks and silk-removing means with which the corn is adapted to contact after the removal of the husks.

14. In a device of the character described, cutting means formexnoving the ends of the corn, a belt suitably actuated, a plurality of rotatable idlers mounted to freely move in a vertical direction and in close proximity to each other and in en agement with said belt, a second belt situated beneath said rst-mentioned belt and having teeth thereon between which beltsthe corn is adapted to pass to remove the husks, said rollers being adapted to positively hold the corn at all times in its passage between the belts in proper position with respect to said tooth-belt and automatically accommodate themselves to corn of various diameters whereby the saine will all be properly hushed.

' 15. In a device of the character described, cutting means for removing the ends of the corn, a belt suitably actuated, a plurality of rotatable idlers mounted in close proximity to each other and'to freely move in a vertical direction and in enga ement with said belt, a second belt situated eneath said irstmen tioned belt and having teeth thereon between which belts the corn is adapted to pass to re- Y nieve the husks, each of said idlers in turn being adapted to positively hold the corn in proper cposition with respect to said toothelt an automatically accommodate them` selves to corn of various diameters, whereby the saine will be properly hushed and a third beit suitably situated in order to receive the husks and refuse and remove the same to a suitable point.

16. In a device of the character described a belt adapted to be suitably actuated and situated between a ortion of the frame of leo the device with whic i the corn is adapted to contact, teeth on said belt, a second belt adapted to be suitably actuated and situated adjacent said toothed belt and between which belts the corn is ada ted to pass and a 105 plurality of lreely-movabqe idlers bearing u on said second-mentioned belt and adapted) to hold the same in proper relation to said toothed belt, said idlers being adapted to be raised by the corn in its passage and being of 1 1o such number as to insure the proper husking of a small ear of corn, should the saine follow or precede a larger ear.

17. In a device loi the character described, a carrier adapted to be actuated, projections 1 15 on said carrier, a belt suitably actuated and situated adjacent said carrier, a plurality of ireelyonovable idlers engaging with said lastmentioned belt and between which and said tootlncarrier the corn is adapted to be passed 1 o in order to remove the husks and means for conveyin the corn therebetween and said y belts an idlers being so situated and arranged that when one idler is raised by the corn the adjacent idlers are not disturbed but I 2 5 hold the belt in such osition that the next ear of corn is properly uslred. i

18; In a device of the character described, means for rotating the corn a belt adated to be suitably actuated, teeth on said elt, a. 13o

belt suitably actuated and sitliated ad'acent said toothed belt, anda plurality of eely movable idlers engaging with said last-menhooks on said carrier means for conveying the corn over the earner and means for rotatxo mg the com during lts passage over sald cer- Vtioned'loelt for rotating and properly holding rier Whereby the corn 1s husked.

5- the corn in suitable relation wxth respect to said teeth on said'belt,

19. In a device ofthe character described,

a carrier adapted to be actuated, teeth or WILLIAM G. CONOVER. Witnesses:

E. J.BosHAR'r, TH. F. CoNovER. 

